Matthew L. Edmisten, Appellee v. Bull Shoals Landing and Aig Domestic Claims, Inc., Appellees

Summary

The court held that the Workers’ Compensation Commission lacked substantial evidence for finding that Edmisten failed to rebut the statutory presumption that his injury was substantially occasioned by marijuana use. The record showed a positive marijuana test but did not establish a direct causal link between drug use and the barrel explosion, and the Commission arbitrarily disregarded supporting testimony and mischaracterized other evidence. The court reversed and remanded for a determination of benefits and vacated the court of appeals’ opinion. Justices Baker and Goodson, dissenting, would have affirmed because the Commission’s factual determination was supported by substantial evidence.